The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) is collecting Small Business Administration (SBA) data from businesses that experienced economic losses due to the Gold Mountain Wildfire, and subsequent flooding and mudslides. An economic injury/damage survey is now available at https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/01a0ee71b7597be48d6fed464b33dcc9, the results of which will be used to determine whether Ouray County has sufficient disaster-related economic impact to support an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration.

Businesses that have had economic losses as a result of the Gold Mountain Fire can report things such as lost revenue, increased expenses, reduced production, closures, supply-chain disruption, and other disaster-related impacts. The SBA will evaluate the responses to determine whether the reported economic losses are substantial, widespread, and directly attributable to the disaster. They will make a determination about whether the evidence demonstrates that businesses are unable to meet their ordinary financial obligations because of the disaster. If approved, qualifying small businesses can apply for loan through the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program. EIDL isn't primarily a grant or reimbursement program. It provides working capital to bridge the business through the period of economic injury.

Businesses are asked to complete the survey as soon as possible and by no later than Tuesday, October 13th.

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